U.S. patent application number 17/579302 was filed with the patent office on 2022-07-21 for power distribution system and server system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Bin LUO, Zhen QIN, Chen ZHANG.
Application Number | 20220232726 17/579302 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220232726 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
QIN; Zhen ; et al. |
July 21, 2022 |
POWER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND SERVER SYSTEM
Abstract
A power distribution system is provided in this application,
which includes a plurality of power distribution equipments, and
the plurality of power distribution equipments are configured to
supply power to a plurality of powered devices respectively. First
power distribution equipment in the plurality of power distribution
equipments includes: a first power module, configured to perform
voltage conversion on an input voltage to obtain an output voltage,
where the output voltage is a supply voltage of the first power
distribution equipment; and a first cascading circuit, configured
to connect an output of the first power module to an output of a
power module in power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system other than the first power distribution
equipment, where the first power distribution equipment is any
power distribution equipment in the power distribution system. A
server system which includes the power distribution system is also
disclosed in this application.
Inventors: |
QIN; Zhen; (Shenzhen,
CN) ; ZHANG; Chen; (Shenzhen, CN) ; LUO;
Bin; (Shenzhen, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Huawei Digital Power Technologies Co., Ltd. |
Futian District |
|
CN |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/579302 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2022 |
International
Class: |
H05K 7/14 20060101
H05K007/14; H02B 1/04 20060101 H02B001/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2021 |
CN |
202110076929.2 |
Claims
1. A power distribution system, wherein,. the power distribution
system comprises a plurality of power distribution equipments, and
the plurality of power distribution equipments are configured to
supply power to a plurality of powered devices, respectively, and a
first power distribution equipment in the plurality of power
distribution equipments comprises: a first power module configured
to perform voltage conversion on an input voltage to obtain an
output voltage, wherein the output voltage is a supply voltage of
the first power distribution equipment; and a first cascading
circuit configured to connect an output of the first power module
to an output of a power module in power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the first power
distribution equipment, wherein the first power distribution
equipment is any power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system.
2. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein when
the first power module is faulty, the power module in the power
distribution equipment in the power distribution system other than
the first power distribution equipment supplies power to the first
power distribution equipment by using the first cascading
circuit.
3. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the
first power module is further configured to: select a first input
source or a second input source to provide the input voltage for
the first power distribution equipment.
4. The power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein when
selecting the first input source or the second input source to
provide the input voltage for the first power distribution
equipment, the first power module is configured to: when the first
input source encounters a power supply exception, select the second
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment; or when the second input source encounters
a power supply exception, select the first input source to provide
the input voltage for the first power distribution equipment.
5. The power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the
first power module comprises: a relay module, configured to select
the first input source or the second input source to provide the
input voltage for the first power distribution equipment; and a
conversion module, coupled to the relay module and configured to
perform voltage conversion on the input voltage to obtain the
output voltage.
6. The power distribution system according to claim 5, wherein the
first power module further comprises: a unidirectional conducting
circuit, coupled to the conversion module and configured to
disconnect the conversion module from the output of the first power
module when the first power module is faulty.
7. The power distribution system according to claim 6, wherein, the
unidirectional conducting circuit is on when the first power module
is not faulty, or the unidirectional conducting circuit is off when
the first power module is faulty.
8. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein,
when performing voltage conversion on the input voltage, the first
power module is configured to: perform voltage conversion on an
input voltage provided by a first input source, to obtain an output
voltage; and second power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system comprises: a second power module configured to
perform voltage conversion on an input voltage provided by a second
input source, to obtain an output voltage, wherein the output
voltage is a supply voltage of the second power distribution
equipment; and a second cascading circuit configured to connect an
output of the second power module to an output of a power module in
power distribution equipment in the power distribution system other
than the second power distribution equipment.
9. The power distribution system according to claim 8, wherein,
when the first input source encounters a power supply exception,
the second power module supplies power to the first power
distribution equipment by using the second cascading circuit and
the first cascading circuit; and when the second input source
encounters a power supply exception, the first power module
supplies power to the second power distribution equipment by using
the first cascading circuit and the second cascading circuit.
10. The power distribution system according to claim 8, wherein the
first power module comprises: a first conversion module, configured
to perform voltage conversion on the input voltage provided by the
first input source, to obtain the output voltage; and a first
unidirectional conducting circuit coupled to the first conversion
module and configured to disconnect the first conversion module
from the output of the first power module when the first power
module is faulty; and the second power module comprises: a second
conversion module, configured to perform voltage conversion on the
input voltage provided by the second input source, to obtain the
output voltage; and a second unidirectional conducting circuit
coupled to the second conversion module and configured to
disconnect the second conversion module from the output of the
second power module when the second power module is faulty.
11. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the
first power module comprises: a current equalization circuit
configured to generate a current equalization signal when an output
current of the first power module is unequal to an output current
of the power module in the power distribution equipment in the
power distribution system other than the first power distribution
equipment, wherein the current equalization signal is used to make
the output current of the first power module equal to the output
current of the power module in the power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the first power
distribution equipment.
12. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the
first cascading circuit comprises: an oscillation suppression
circuit configured to suppress voltage oscillation generated on a
cascading line between the output of the first power module and the
output of the power module in the power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the first power
distribution equipment.
13. The power distribution system according to claim 3, wherein the
first cascading circuit comprises: a power backup unit, wherein the
power backup unit is configured to supply power to the first power
distribution equipment when both the first input source and the
second input source encounter a power supply exception.
14. The power distribution system according to claim 13, wherein
the power backup unit comprises a battery and a battery management
system (BMS).
15. The power distribution system according to claim 1, wherein the
powered devices are servers.
16. A server system comprising: a plurality of servers powered by
using a power distribution system, wherein the power distribution
system comprises: a plurality of power distribution equipments, and
the plurality of power distribution equipments are configured to
supply power to a plurality of powered devices, respectively, and
first power distribution equipment in the plurality of power
distribution equipments comprises a first power module and a first
cascading circuit; wherein, the first power module is configured to
perform voltage conversion on an input voltage to obtain an output
voltage, wherein the output voltage is a supply voltage of the
first power distribution equipment; and wherein, the first
cascading circuit is configured to connect an output of the first
power module to an output of a power module in power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment, wherein the first power distribution
equipment is any power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system.
17. The server system according to claim 16, wherein when the first
power module is faulty, the power module in the power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment supplies power to the first power
distribution equipment by using the first cascading circuit.
18. The server system according to claim 16, wherein the first
power module is further configured to: select a first input source
or a second input source to provide the input voltage for the first
power distribution equipment.
19. The server system according to claim 18, wherein, when
selecting the first input source or the second input source to
provide the input voltage for the first power distribution
equipment, the first power module is configured to: when, the first
input source encounters a power supply exception, select the second
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment; or when, the second input source encounters
a power supply exception, select the first input source to provide
the input voltage for the first power distribution equipment.
20. The server system according to claim 18, wherein the first
power module comprises: a relay module configured to select the
first input source or the second input source to provide the input
voltage for the first power distribution equipment; and a
conversion module coupled to the relay module and configured to
perform voltage conversion on the input voltage to obtain the
output voltage.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent
Application No. 202110076929.2, filed on Jan. 20, 2021, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application relates to the field of information
technologies, and in particular, to a power distribution system and
a server system.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A server is a high-performance computer that provides
various services. It features high reliability, availability,
manageability, and scalability. Redundancy configuration may be
performed for a power supply of the server, to ensure that the
server can still be properly powered upon an exception.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, in an existing server power
architecture, an N+N backup mode is used for power supplies in
power distribution equipment. In FIG. 1, an example with N=1 is
used. One power distribution equipment is configured for one
server. Two power supplies, namely, power supply A and power supply
B, are configured for one power distribution equipment. A power
supply in power distribution equipment may be considered as a
voltage converter, which is configured to convert an input voltage
into a supply voltage for a server. In the power architecture,
input A supplies power to power supply A, and input B supplies
power to power supply B, so as to implement input source backup.
When one input source fails, the other input source can still
supply power to the server. In addition, outputs of power supply A
and power supply B are connected in parallel to implement power
supply backup: When one power supply fails, the other power supply
can still supply power to the server.
[0005] When a solution provided in the conventional technologies is
used to perform redundancy configuration for a power supply, each
power distribution equipment needs to use two power supplies, and
backup costs are high. In addition, by using the foregoing power
architecture, power supply A and power supply B jointly supply
power to the server in most scenarios (in particular, scenarios
without an exception), and a load ratio of the server is low,
resulting in low power supply conversion efficiency.
[0006] For example, when one power supply supplies power to the
server, the load ratio of the server is 35% to 45%. When power
supply A and power supply B jointly supply power to the server, the
load ratio of the server is reduced by about a half to about 20%. A
relationship between the load ratio of the server and the power
supply conversion efficiency may be shown in FIG. 2. As shown in
FIG. 2, when the load ratio of the server is 35% to 45%, the power
supply conversion efficiency is high. When the load ratio of the
server is 20%, the power supplies cannot work in a status with high
conversion efficiency.
[0007] In conclusion, power distribution equipment provided in the
conventional technologies has problems of high backup costs, a low
load ratio of a server, and low power supply conversion
efficiency.
SUMMARY
[0008] Embodiments of this application provide a power distribution
system and a server system, to implement power supply backup,
reduce backup costs, and increase a load ratio and power supply
conversion efficiency of a powered device.
[0009] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this
application provides a power distribution system. The power
distribution system includes a plurality of power distribution
equipments, and the plurality of power distribution equipments are
configured to supply power to a plurality of powered devices
respectively. First power distribution equipment in the plurality
of power distribution equipments includes: a first power module,
configured to perform voltage conversion on an input voltage to
obtain an output voltage, where the output voltage is a supply
voltage of the first power distribution equipment; and a first
cascading circuit, configured to connect an output of the first
power module to an output of a power module in power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment, where the first power distribution
equipment is any power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system.
[0010] In one embodiment, the powered devices may be servers.
[0011] According to the power distribution system provided in the
first aspect, first power distribution equipment includes a first
power module and a first cascading circuit. When the first power
module is faulty, a power module in power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the first power
distribution equipment jointly supplies power to the first power
distribution equipment by using the first cascading circuit, so as
to implement power supply backup. According to the power
distribution system provided in the first aspect, redundancy
configuration can be implemented for a power supply of power
distribution equipment, and only one power module is disposed in
each power distribution equipment. Compared with a solution in the
conventional technologies that two power modules are configured in
each power distribution equipment, in this application, backup
costs are low, a load ratio of power distribution equipment is
high, and power supply conversion efficiency of the power
distribution equipment is high.
[0012] In one embodiment, when the first power module is faulty,
the power module in the power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system other than the first power distribution
equipment supplies power to the first power distribution equipment
by using the first cascading circuit.
[0013] According to the foregoing solution, power supply backup can
be implemented.
[0014] The following uses two manners to describe a backup mode of
an input source in the power distribution system provided in the
first aspect.
Manner 1
[0015] In one embodiment, the first power module is further
configured to select a first input source or a second input source
to provide the input voltage for the first power distribution
equipment.
[0016] Further, when selecting the first input source or the second
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment, the first power module is configured to:
when the first input source encounters a power supply exception,
select the second input source to provide the input voltage for the
first power distribution equipment; or when the second input source
encounters a power supply exception, select the first input source
to provide the input voltage for the first power distribution
equipment.
[0017] According to the foregoing solution, the first power module
is a dual-input power supply, and the first power module may select
the first input source or the second input source through switching
to implement input source backup.
[0018] In one embodiment, the first power module includes: a relay
module, configured to select the first input source or the second
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment; and a conversion module, coupled to the
relay module and configured to perform voltage conversion on the
input voltage to obtain the output voltage.
[0019] In addition, the first power module further includes: a
unidirectional conducting circuit, coupled to the conversion module
and configured to disconnect the conversion module from the output
of the first power module when the first power module is
faulty.
[0020] According to the foregoing solution, the unidirectional
conducting circuit can implement an isolation function when a power
supply is faulty, thereby preventing the failed power supply from
affecting normal operation of another power supply. For example, in
a normal state of the first power module in the first power
distribution equipment, the unidirectional conducting circuit is
on, and the first power module supplies power externally by using
the unidirectional conducting circuit; or in an abnormal state of
the first power distribution equipment, the unidirectional
conducting circuit is off, so as to avoid affecting normal
operation of a power module in another power distribution
equipment.
[0021] In one embodiment, the unidirectional conducting circuit is
on when the first power module is not faulty, or the unidirectional
conducting circuit is off when the first power module is
faulty.
Manner 2
[0022] In one embodiment, when performing voltage conversion on the
input voltage, the first power module is configured to: perform
voltage conversion on an input voltage provided by a first input
source, to obtain an output voltage; and second power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system includes: a second power
module, configured to perform voltage conversion on an input
voltage provided by a second input source, to obtain an output
voltage, where the output voltage is a supply voltage of the second
power distribution equipment; and a second cascading circuit,
configured to connect an output of the second power module to an
output of a power module in power distribution equipment in the
power distribution system other than the second power distribution
equipment.
[0023] According to the foregoing solution, a power module in power
distribution equipment is a single-input power supply. When the
first input source encounters a power supply exception, the second
power module supplies power to the first power distribution
equipment by using the second cascading circuit and the first
cascading circuit; and when the second input source encounters a
power supply exception, the first power module supplies power to
the second power distribution equipment by using the first
cascading circuit and the second cascading circuit, thereby
implementing input source backup.
[0024] In one embodiment, the first power module includes: a first
conversion module, configured to perform voltage conversion on the
input voltage provided by the first input source, to obtain the
output voltage; and a first unidirectional conducting circuit,
coupled to the first conversion module and configured to disconnect
the first conversion module from the output of the first power
module when the first power module is faulty. The second power
module includes: a second conversion module, configured to perform
voltage conversion on the input voltage provided by the second
input source, to obtain the output voltage; and a second
unidirectional conducting circuit, coupled to the second conversion
module and configured to disconnect the second conversion module
from the output of the second power module when the second power
module is faulty.
[0025] According to the foregoing solution, the first
unidirectional conducting circuit can implement an isolation
function when the first power module is faulty, and the second
unidirectional conducting circuit can implement an isolation
function when the second power module is faulty, thereby preventing
a failed power supply from affecting normal operation of another
power supply. For example, in a normal state of the first power
module, the first unidirectional conducting circuit is on, and the
first power module supplies power externally by using the first
unidirectional conducting circuit; or in an abnormal state of the
first power module, the first unidirectional conducting circuit is
off, so as to avoid affecting normal operation of a power module in
another server.
[0026] In one embodiment, the first power module includes a current
equalization circuit, configured to generate a current equalization
signal when an output current of the first power module is unequal
to an output current of the power module in the power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment, where the current equalization signal
is used to make the output current of the first power module equal
to the output current of the power module in the power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment.
[0027] According to the foregoing solution, when the first power
module is faulty, a power module in other power distribution
equipment can jointly supply power to the first power distribution
equipment by using the first cascading circuit. Because the other
power distribution equipments have unequal distances to the first
power distribution equipment, a phenomenon may occur, in which
power distribution equipment closer to the first power distribution
equipment has a larger output current (a higher output power) and
power distribution equipment farther from the first power
distribution equipment has a smaller output current (a lower output
power). Disposing the current equalization circuit in the first
power module can avoid this phenomenon, so that output currents of
all power modules in the power distribution system are equal.
[0028] In one embodiment, the first cascading circuit includes an
oscillation suppression circuit, configured to suppress voltage
oscillation generated on a cascading line between the output of the
first power module and the output of the power module in the power
distribution equipment in the power distribution system other than
the first power distribution equipment.
[0029] When a distance between power distribution equipments is
long, a cascading line between cascading circuits is long, and a
large parasitic inductance is generated on the cascading line.
Consequently, oscillation is generated on the cascading line.
According to the foregoing solution, oscillation on the cascading
line can be suppressed, so that the output voltage of the first
power module is stable.
[0030] In one embodiment, the first cascading circuit includes a
power backup unit, where the power backup unit is configured to
supply power to the first power distribution equipment when both
the first input source and the second input source encounter a
power supply exception.
[0031] According to the foregoing solution, power backup can be
implemented in a scenario in which both the first input source and
the second input source encounter a power supply exception, such as
a mains outage, so that the power distribution equipment can still
work properly.
[0032] In one embodiment, the power backup unit may include a
battery and a battery management system (BMS).
[0033] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this
application provides a server system. The server system includes a
plurality of servers, and the plurality of servers are powered by
using the power distribution system according to any one of the
first aspect and the possible embodiments thereof. In one
embodiment, each power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system is configured to supply power to one server in
the server system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a power
architecture of power distribution equipment in the conventional
technologies;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a relationship between a
load ratio of power distribution equipment and power supply
conversion efficiency of the power distribution equipment in the
conventional technologies;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a first
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a second
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a third
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a fourth
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0040] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a fifth
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0041] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a sixth
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0042] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a seventh
power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application;
[0043] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a power backup mode in the
conventional technologies;
[0044] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of an eighth power distribution system according to an embodiment
of this application;
[0045] FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of a ninth power distribution system according to an embodiment of
this application;
[0046] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of a tenth power distribution system according to an embodiment of
this application;
[0047] FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of an eleventh power distribution system according to an embodiment
of this application;
[0048] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a relationship between a
load ratio of power distribution equipment and power supply
conversion efficiency of the power distribution equipment according
to an embodiment of this application; and
[0049] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a server
system according to an embodiment of this application.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0050] The following further describes in detail the embodiments of
this application with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0051] It should be noted that "a plurality of" in the embodiments
of this application means two or more than two. In addition, in the
descriptions of this application, terms such as "first" and
"second" are merely used for distinction and description, and shall
not be understood as an indication or implication of relative
importance or an indication or implication of an order.
[0052] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a power
distribution system 300 according to an embodiment of this
application. The power distribution system 300 includes a plurality
of power distribution equipments, and each power distribution
equipment is configured to supply power to a powered device. First
power distribution equipment 301 in the plurality of power
distribution equipments includes a first power module 301a and a
first cascading circuit 301b. The first power module 301a is
configured to perform voltage conversion on an input voltage to
obtain an output voltage. The output voltage is a supply voltage of
the first power distribution equipment 301. The first cascading
circuit 301b is configured to connect an output of the first power
module 301a to an output of a power module in power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system other than the first
power distribution equipment 301.
[0053] In one embodiment, the powered devices powered by the power
distribution equipments may be servers. The first cascading circuit
301b may be a cascading box.
[0054] The first power distribution equipment 301 is any power
distribution equipment in the power distribution system. That is,
each power distribution equipment in the power distribution system
300 includes one power module and one cascading circuit. For ease
of description and differentiation, one power distribution
equipment in the power distribution system 300 is referred to as
the first power distribution equipment 301, a power module in the
first power distribution equipment 301 is referred to as the first
power module 301a, and a cascading circuit in the first power
distribution equipment 301 is referred to as the first cascading
circuit 301b.
[0055] In the power distribution system 300, supply voltages of all
the power distribution equipments are the same, that is, output
voltages of all power modules are the same, for example, may be 12
V.
[0056] The power distribution system 300 shown in FIG. 3 may
implement power supply backup in the following manner: When the
first power module 301a is faulty, a power module in power
distribution equipment in the power distribution system 300 other
than the first power distribution equipment 301 supplies power to
the first power distribution equipment 301 by using the first
cascading circuit 301b. It can be easily seen from FIG. 3 that, in
the power distribution system 300, an output of a power module in
each power distribution equipment is connected by using two
cascading circuits. When the first power module 301a in the first
power distribution equipment 301 is faulty, the power module in the
power distribution equipment in the power distribution system 300
other than the first power distribution equipment 301 jointly
supplies power to the first power distribution equipment by using
the first cascading circuit 301b. For example, if the power
distribution system 300 includes four power distribution
equipments, when a power module in power distribution equipment
fails, the other three power distribution equipments jointly supply
power to the power distribution equipment by using the first
cascading circuit.
[0057] The power distribution system 300 shown in FIG. 3 may
implement input source backup in two manners.
Manner 1
[0058] In manner 1, the first power module 301a is a dual-input
power supply, and the first power module 301a may choose between
inputs of two input sources through switching to implement input
source backup, as shown in FIG. 4.
[0059] In one embodiment, the power distribution system 300 shown
in FIG. 4 implements input source backup in the following manner:
the first power module 301a may select a first input source or a
second input source to provide an input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment 301. Because the first power module 301a may
select the first input source or the second input source to provide
the input voltage for the first power distribution equipment 301,
when the first input source encounters a power supply exception,
the first power module 301a may select the second input source to
provide the input voltage for the first power distribution
equipment 301; when the second input source encounters a power
supply exception, the first power module 301a may select the first
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment 301; and when neither the first input source
nor the second input source encounters a power supply exception,
the first power module 301a may select either of the first input
source and the second input source to provide the input voltage to
the first power distribution equipment 301.
[0060] It can be easily seen that, in manner 1, a power module in
each power distribution equipment is a dual-input power supply.
[0061] In actual application, the first power module 301a may
include a relay module and a conversion module. The relay module
may be configured to select the first input source or the second
input source to provide the input voltage for the first power
distribution equipment 301; and the conversion module is coupled to
the relay module and is configured to perform voltage conversion on
the input voltage to obtain the output voltage.
[0062] For example, the conversion module may be a direct
current-direct current (DC-DC) converter, or may be an alternating
current-alternating current (AC-DC) converter.
[0063] In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the first power module 301a
may further include: a unidirectional conducting circuit, coupled
to the conversion module and configured to disconnect the
conversion module from the output of the first power module 301a
when the first power module 301a is faulty. For example, the
unidirectional conducting circuit is on when the first power module
301a is not faulty, or the unidirectional conducting circuit is off
when the first power module 301a is faulty.
[0064] The unidirectional conducting circuit may also be referred
to as an ORing circuit. The ORing circuit can implement an
isolation function when a power supply is faulty, thereby
preventing the failed power supply from affecting normal operation
of another power supply. For example, in a normal state of the
first power module 301a in the first power distribution equipment,
the unidirectional conducting circuit is on, and the first power
module 301a supplies power externally by using the unidirectional
conducting circuit; or in an abnormal state of the first power
module 301a, the unidirectional conducting circuit is off, so as to
avoid affecting normal operation of a power module in another power
distribution equipment.
[0065] In actual application, the unidirectional conducting circuit
may be implemented by using a switching transistor and a control
circuit, and the control circuit is configured to control the
switching transistor to be on or off When the switching transistor
is on, the unidirectional conducting circuit is on. When the
switching transistor is off, the unidirectional conducting circuit
is off. The switching transistor may be, for example, a metal-oxide
semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET), a gallium nitride
(GaN) transistor, an insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT), or a
bipolar junction transistor (BJT).
Manner 2
[0066] In manner 2, the first power module 301a is a single-input
power supply. Some power distribution equipments in the power
distribution system 300 provide input voltages by using a first
input source, and the other power distribution equipments provide
input voltages by using a second input source. The power
distribution equipments that provide the input voltages by using
the first input source are referred to as the first power
distribution equipments 301, and the power distribution equipments
that provide the input voltages by using the second input source
are referred to as the second power distribution equipments 302. In
this embodiment of this application, quantities of the first power
distribution equipments and the second power distribution
equipments are not limited, and the quantity of the first power
distribution equipments may be the same as or different from the
quantity of the second power distribution equipments.
[0067] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, when performing
voltage conversion on the input voltage, the first power module
301a is configured to: perform voltage conversion on an input
voltage provided by the first input source to obtain an output
voltage; and the second power distribution equipment 302 in the
power distribution system 300 includes: a second power module,
configured to perform voltage conversion on an input voltage
provided by the second input source to obtain an output voltage,
where the output voltage is a supply voltage of the second power
distribution equipment 302; and a second cascading circuit,
configured to connect an output of the second power module to an
output of a power module in power distribution equipment in the
power distribution system other than the second power distribution
equipment 302.
[0068] In one embodiment, the second cascading circuit may be a
cascading box.
[0069] It can be easily seen that, in manner 2, a power module in
each power distribution equipment is a single-input power
supply.
[0070] In the power distribution system 300, supply voltages of all
the power distribution equipments are the same, that is, output
voltages of all power modules are the same, for example, may be 12
V.
[0071] Different from manner 1, in manner 2, the input source
backup may be implemented in the following manner: when the first
input source encounters a power supply exception, the second power
module in the second power distribution equipment 302 supplies
power to the first power distribution equipment 301 by using the
first cascading circuit; and when the second input source
encounters a power supply exception, the first power module in the
first power distribution equipment 301 supplies power to the second
power distribution equipment 302 by using the second cascading
circuit.
[0072] Because a power module in the power distribution system 300
is a single-input power supply, when an input source encounters a
power supply exception, power distribution equipment powered by the
input source cannot select another input source by using the power
module. Instead, a power module in power distribution equipment
whose input voltage is provided by another input source needs to
supply power to the power distribution equipment.
[0073] In one embodiment, because the first cascading circuit is
configured to connect the output of the first power module to the
output of the power module in the power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the first power
distribution equipment 301, the second cascading circuit is
configured to connect the output of the second power module to the
output of the power module in the power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system other than the second power
distribution equipment 302. That is, in the power distribution
system 300, an output of a power module in each power distribution
equipment is connected by using a cascading circuit. Then, when the
first input source encounters a power supply exception, the second
power distribution equipment 302 may supply power to the first
power distribution equipment 301 by using the second cascading
circuit and the first cascading circuit. Similarly, when the second
input source encounters a power supply exception, the first power
distribution equipment 301 may supply power to the second power
distribution equipment 302 by using the first cascading circuit and
the second cascading circuit, thereby implementing input source
backup.
[0074] Similar to manner 1, the first power module and the second
power module each may include a conversion module, for example, a
DC-DC converter or an AC-DC converter.
[0075] In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, the first power module may
include: a first conversion module, configured to perform voltage
conversion on the input voltage provided by the first input source,
to obtain the output voltage; and a first unidirectional conducting
circuit, coupled to the first conversion module and configured to
disconnect the first conversion module from the output of the first
power module when the first power module is faulty. The second
power module may include: a second conversion module, configured to
perform voltage conversion on the input voltage provided by the
second input source, to obtain the output voltage; and a second
unidirectional conducting circuit, configured to disconnect the
second conversion module from the output of the second power module
when the second power module is faulty.
[0076] For example, the first unidirectional conducting circuit is
off when the first power module is faulty; or the second
unidirectional conducting circuit is off when the second power
module is faulty.
[0077] Similar to the unidirectional conducting circuit in manner
1, in manner 2, the first unidirectional conducting circuit and the
second unidirectional conducting circuit each may also be
implemented by using a switching transistor and a control circuit,
and details are not described herein again.
[0078] The foregoing describes the two manners of implementing
input source backup in the power distribution system 300 provided
in this embodiment of this application.
[0079] In addition, when the first power module 301a is faulty, the
power module in the power distribution equipment in the power
distribution system 300 other than the first power distribution
equipment 301 may supply power to the first power distribution
equipment 301 by using the first cascading circuit 301b. Because
all power distribution equipments have unequal distances to the
first power distribution equipment 301, a phenomenon may occur, in
which power distribution equipment closer to the first power
distribution equipment 301 has a larger output current (a higher
output power) and power distribution equipment farther from the
first power distribution equipment 301 has a smaller output current
(a lower output power).
[0080] To avoid the foregoing phenomenon, a current equalization
circuit may be disposed in the first power module 301a. The current
equalization circuit is configured to generate a current
equalization signal when an output current of the first power
module 301a is unequal to an output current of a power module in
another power distribution equipment, where the current
equalization signal is used to make the output current of the first
power module 301a equal to the output current of the power module
in the another power distribution equipment.
[0081] It should be noted that, a current equalization circuit of
each power distribution equipment in the power distribution system
300 may be connected to a current equalization circuit of another
power distribution equipment by using a cascading circuit. For a
implementation of the current equalization circuit, refer to a
description in the conventional technologies. Details are not
described herein again.
[0082] As described above, when the first power module 301a is
faulty, the power module in the power distribution equipment in the
power distribution system 300 other than the first power
distribution equipment 301 may jointly supply power to the first
power distribution equipment by using the first cascading circuit
301b. When a distance between power distribution equipments is
long, a cascading line between cascading circuits is long, and a
large parasitic inductance is generated on the cascading line.
Consequently, oscillation is generated on the cascading line, and
further a fluctuation is caused to supply voltages of the power
distribution equipments, affecting normal operation of the power
distribution equipments.
[0083] To avoid the foregoing phenomenon, an oscillation
suppression circuit may be disposed in the first cascading circuit
301b. The oscillation suppression circuit is configured to suppress
voltage oscillation generated on a cascading line between the
output of the first power module 301a and an output of a power
module in another power distribution equipment, so that the supply
voltage of the first power distribution equipment 301 is
stable.
[0084] In actual application, the oscillation suppression circuit
may be a large capacitor. Certainly, other circuits that can
suppress voltage oscillation are also applicable to this embodiment
of this application, and are not enumerated herein.
[0085] For example, after the oscillation suppression circuit is
configured in the power distribution system 300 shown in FIG. 5, a
structure of the power distribution system 300 may be shown in FIG.
8.
[0086] In addition, a power backup unit may be further disposed in
the first cascading circuit 301b. The power backup unit is
configured to supply power to the first power distribution
equipment 301 when both the first input source and the second input
source encounter a power supply exception (for example, a mains
outage). In one embodiment, the power backup unit may include a
battery and a battery management system (BMS).
[0087] For example, after the power backup unit is configured in
the power distribution system 300 shown in FIG. 8, a structure of
the power distribution system 300 may be shown in FIG. 9.
[0088] Upon a mains outage, both the first input source and the
second output source fail, and cannot supply power to the power
distribution equipment. In this embodiment of this application, the
power backup unit may be disposed in the first cascading circuit
301b. The power backup unit includes a battery and a BMS. The power
backup unit can supply power to the power distribution equipment
upon a mains outage, thereby implementing power backup.
[0089] If the power backup unit is not disposed in the first
cascading circuit 301b, in the conventional technologies, power
backup needs to be implemented by using a battery and an
uninterruptible power supply (UPS) after a mains input, as shown in
FIG. 10. In this power backup mode, because the UPS is always
connected in series in an entire power supply link, a power loss is
caused. By using a battery and a BMS for power backup, an input
source may be directly implemented by a mains input, thereby
improving efficiency of the entire power supply link.
[0090] In conclusion, in the power distribution system 300 provided
in this embodiment of this application, the first power
distribution equipment 301 includes the first power module 301a and
the first cascading circuit 301b. When the first power module 301a
is faulty, the power module in the power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system 300 other than the first power
distribution equipment 301 jointly supplies power to the first
power distribution equipment 301 by using the first cascading
circuit 301b, so as to implement power supply backup. According to
the power distribution system 300 provided in this embodiment of
this application, redundancy configuration can be implemented for a
power supply of power distribution equipment, and only one power
module is disposed in each power distribution equipment. Compared
with a solution in the conventional technologies that two power
modules are configured in each power distribution equipment, in
this application, backup costs are low, a load ratio of power
distribution equipment is high, and power supply conversion
efficiency of the power distribution equipment is high.
[0091] In addition, by using the power distribution system 300
provided in this embodiment of this application, one power module
and one cascading circuit are configured in each power distribution
equipment. The power distribution equipment can reduce a quantity
of configured power supplies based on power distribution equipment
provided in the conventional technologies, without changing a form,
size, and interface of the existing power distribution equipment,
featuring high applicability.
[0092] The following describes four particular examples of the
power distribution system 300 provided in the embodiments of this
application.
Example 1
[0093] FIG. 11A and FIG. 11B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of a power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application. The power distribution system may be considered as a
example of the foregoing power distribution system 300. The power
distribution system includes four power distribution equipments:
power distribution equipment A, power distribution equipment B,
power distribution equipment C, and power distribution equipment
D.
[0094] Each power distribution equipment is configured with a
dual-input power supply and a cascading box. The power supply
supports two power inputs: input A and input B. An output voltage
(12 V) supplies power to the power distribution equipment and is
connected to outputs of the other power distribution equipments
through the cascading box. In this way, when input A is abnormal,
input B can properly supply power to the power supply. When one
power supply is abnormal, power supplies of the other power
distribution equipments can supply power to the power distribution
equipment through the cascading box for backup. For example, when
power supply A is abnormal, power supply B, power supply C, and
power supply D jointly supply power to power distribution equipment
A.
[0095] An ORing circuit inside a power supply can implement an
isolation function when the power supply is faulty, thereby
preventing the failed power supply from affecting normal operation
of the other power supplies. For example, in a normal state of
power supply A, the ORing circuit is on, and power supply A
supplies power externally by using the ORing circuit; or in an
abnormal state of power supply A, the ORing circuit is off, so as
to avoid affecting normal operation of the other power supplies
(power supply B, power supply C, and power supply D).
[0096] A power supply is internally provided with a current
equalization circuit. The current equalization circuits of all the
power supplies are also connected to each other through the
cascading boxes, so that current equalization can be implemented
between the power supplies. After a power supply is faulty, the
other power supplies can provide equal supply currents for power
distribution equipment with the faulty power supply to avoid power
overload. For example, when power supply A fails, power supply B,
power supply C, and power supply D each can supply 1/3 of a
required current to power distribution equipment A through the
current equalization circuit.
[0097] The cascading box is provided with an oscillation
suppression circuit to suppress voltage oscillation generated on a
cascading line. For example, when power supply A fails, power
supply B, power supply C, and power supply D supply power to power
distribution equipment A by using a cascading line. Because there
is parasitic inductance on the cascading line, a voltage at an
input of power distribution equipment A may oscillate. The
oscillation suppression circuit can stabilize the voltage at the
input of power distribution equipment A.
Example 2
[0098] Based on example 1, as shown in FIG. 12A and FIG. 12B, a
BMS+battery component is added to each cascading box in a power
distribution system provided in example 2. When both input A and
input B are abnormal (for example, a mains outage occurs), the
BMS+battery in all cascading boxes can jointly supply power to all
power distribution equipments to implement power backup.
Example 3
[0099] FIG. 13A and FIG. 13B are a schematic diagram of a structure
of a power distribution system according to an embodiment of this
application. The power distribution system may be considered as a
example of the foregoing power distribution system 300. The power
distribution system includes four power distribution equipments:
power distribution equipment A, power distribution equipment B,
power distribution equipment C, and power distribution equipment
D.
[0100] Each power distribution equipment is configured with a
single-input power supply and a cascading box. Some power supplies
(for example, power supply A and power supply C) are powered by
input A and the other power supplies are powered by input B. An
output voltage (12 V) supplies power to the power distribution
equipment and is connected to outputs of the other power
distribution equipments through the cascading box. In this way,
when input A is abnormal, input B can ensure normal operation of
power supply B and power supply D, and power supply B and power
supply D jointly supply power to power distribution equipment A and
power distribution equipment C. When one power supply is abnormal,
power supplies of the other power distribution equipments can
supply power to the power distribution equipment through the
cascading box for backup. For example, when power supply A is
abnormal, power supply B, power supply C, and power supply D
jointly supply power to power distribution equipment A.
[0101] An ORing circuit inside a power supply can implement an
isolation function when the power supply is faulty, thereby
preventing the failed power supply from affecting normal operation
of the other power supplies. For example, in a normal state of
power supply A, the ORing circuit is on, and power supply A
supplies power externally by using the ORing circuit; or in an
abnormal state of power supply A, the ORing circuit is off, so as
to avoid affecting normal operation of the other power supplies
(power supply B, power supply C, and power supply D).
[0102] A power supply is internally provided with a current
equalization circuit. The current equalization circuits of all the
power supplies are also connected to each other through the
cascading boxes, so that current equalization can be implemented
between the power supplies. In addition, after a power supply is
faulty, the other power supplies can provide equal supply currents
for power distribution equipment with the faulty power supply to
avoid power overload. For example, when power supply A fails, power
supply B, power supply C, and power supply D each can supply 1/3 of
a required current to power distribution equipment A through the
current equalization circuit.
[0103] The cascading box is provided with an oscillation
suppression circuit to suppress voltage oscillation generated on a
cascading line. For example, when power supply A fails, power
supply B, power supply C, and power supply D supply power to power
distribution equipment A by using a cascading line. Because there
is parasitic inductance on the cascading line, a voltage at an
input of power distribution equipment A may oscillate. The
oscillation suppression circuit can stabilize the voltage at the
input of power distribution equipment A.
Example 4
[0104] Based on example 3, as shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. 14B, a
BMS+battery component is added to each cascading box in a power
distribution system provided in example 4. When both input A and
input B are abnormal (for example, a mains outage occurs), the
BMS+battery in all cascading boxes can jointly supply power to all
power distribution equipments to implement power backup.
[0105] As described in the background, if the power backup solution
shown in FIG. 1 is used, each power distribution equipment is
configured with two power supplies. Because the power distribution
equipment works at a load ratio of about 40% in most scenarios, the
power supplies each work at a load ratio of about 20% in most
scenarios. At this load ratio, conversion efficiency of the power
supplies is not optimal. If each power distribution equipment is
configured with one power supply, as shown in FIG. 15, the power
distribution equipment works at a load ratio of about 40% in most
scenarios, and the power supply works at a load ratio of about 40%
in most scenarios. At this load ratio, conversion efficiency of the
power supply is improved by 2% to 4% compared with that in the
existing power architecture.
[0106] Based on a same concept, an embodiment of this application
further provides a server system. As shown in FIG. 16, the server
system 1600 includes a plurality of servers 1601. The plurality of
servers 1601 are powered by using the foregoing power distribution
system 300. In one embodiment, each power distribution equipment in
the power distribution system 300 is configured to supply power to
one server 1601 in the server system 1600.
[0107] It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make
various modifications and variations to this application without
departing from the scope of this application. This application is
intended to cover these modifications and variations of this
application provided that they fall within the scope of the claims
of this application and equivalent technologies thereof.
* * * * *